Topics

Senators coach Paul MacLean has witnessed a player collapse with a heart issue and the "scary" experience left him badly shaken.

As assistant coach of the Detroit Red Wings, MacLean was on the bench when defenceman Jiri Fischer went into cardiac arrest during a game Nov. 21, 2005. Fischer, who was unconscious for six minutes, survived the incident but was never medically cleared to play again.

MacLean was reminded of that night Monday when he learned that Dallas Stars winger Rich Peverley suffered a "cardiac event" on the bench during a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Peverley was successfully treated and was reportedly in stable condition Monday night. Dallas coach Lindy Ruff said the 31-year old veteran will be ok.

"It's very eerie and it's very scary, to have that happen to anyone when you're just standing there," MacLean said after the Senators' 4-3 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators. "It's a very difficult time."

Senators players were also snapped to reality by the Peverley incident, which occurred in the first period and led to the postponement of the Dallas-Columbus match.

"We heard about it during the game "¦ it's pretty scary," said defenceman Marc Methot.

Late Monday, Bobby Ryan summed up the feelings of many in a Twitter post.

"Wins and losses aside the NHL is a small community," he wrote. "I think we can all say our thoughts are with Peverley and his family."

Sponsored Links

Sens coach recalls collapse of Jiri Fischer

Senators coach Paul MacLean has witnessed a player collapse with a heart issue and the "scary" experience left him badly shaken.

As assistant coach of the Detroit Red Wings, MacLean was on the bench when defenceman Jiri Fischer went into cardiac arrest during a game Nov. 21, 2005. Fischer, who was unconscious for six minutes, survived the incident but was never medically cleared to play again.

MacLean was reminded of that night Monday when he learned that Dallas Stars winger Rich Peverley suffered a "cardiac event" on the bench during a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Peverley was successfully treated and was reportedly in stable condition Monday night. Dallas coach Lindy Ruff said the 31-year old veteran will be ok.